A 14-year-old working at McDonald's in Australia can expect to earn approximately $10.26 to $11.48 per hour for a part-time or full-time position, or up to approximately $12.83 to $14.06 per hour if hired as a casual employee. The exact rate depends on their specific classification under the Fast Food Industry Award.
A 15-year-old at Maccas in Australia typically earns around $13 to $15 per hour, depending on whether they are casual (with loading) or part-time, and the specific Fast Food Industry Award rates, with casual rates being higher, around $12.75/hr or more with loading, while part-time base rates might be lower but offer benefits. Rates vary by day (weekends higher) and can be found using the Fair Work Ombudsman's calculator.
Child employment: Paying children and young people
They aren't yet eligible for the National Minimum Wage, which is £4.81, so their salary should be worked out between themselves and their employers depending on what job they are doing, but it would be good practice and fair to offer at least the minimum wage.
McDonald's pay in Australia generally follows the Fast Food Industry Award, with rates varying significantly by age, experience level (Level 1-3), and penalty rates for nights, weekends, and public holidays, but typically starting around $25-$26 per hour for entry-level crew (as of mid-2025), with casuals earning 25% loading on top, and higher rates for more senior roles or shifts. You can use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator to get an exact figure for your situation.
A 14-year-old in Australia should get 36.8% of the national minimum wage, which works out to a minimum of $8.86 per hour based on full-time and part-time work. The minimum rate for casual work is $11.09.
KFC pay for 14-year-olds varies by location and awards, but in Australia, it's typically based on junior rates under the Fast Food Industry Award, starting around $12.83 to $13.79 per hour for under 16s in entry-level roles, with higher rates for evenings or weekends, though specific rates depend on the state and exact award stage. In the US, it's closer to the federal or state minimum wage, but often around $10-$16/hour depending on local laws and franchise, as 14-year-olds can work limited hours.
Summary: Best Fast Food Jobs in 2025
Depends on the age, 14 and 15 year olds get around 8.75 an hour but the pay increases every birthday after your 16th.
Free Meals: Discounted meals during your shift is one of our greatest benefits and most appreciated by our employees. Employees qualify for one free meal per shift equal to a value meal.
Young workers and the minimum wage
Under 16, you should get 36.8%, or $9.18 an hour. Aged 16, you should get 47.3%, or $11.80 an hour. Aged 17, you should get 57.8%, or $14.42 an hour. Aged 18, you should get 68.3%, or $17.04 an hour.
Ages 14-16: Teenagers often need more money for social activities, clothes, and tech. They may receive £10-£15 per week, or around £40-£60 monthly. Many parents start linking allowances to clear expectations, like helping at home or maintaining good school habits.
The minimum age to work at McDonald's varies by location, but generally, you can start at 14 or 15 years old, depending on local labor laws and franchise policies, with some places requiring a work permit, while certain roles or late hours (past 10 PM/midnight) often need you to be 18 or older. Always check with your specific local McDonald's for their exact age requirements and available positions, as rules differ between company-owned and franchised locations.
Employees who are 14 years of age and under require parental consent to commence work by completing a parental permission form. Children under 15 years old must not be engaged to work: Before 6am or after 10pm; and During school hours.
Kmart pay for 15-year-olds in Australia varies by award, but it's generally a percentage of the adult rate, often around $12-$14 per hour during weekdays and more on weekends/evenings, with casual roles potentially paying slightly more, though it depends heavily on the specific Retail Award or Enterprise Agreement. For example, some reports mention rates like $12.04/hr in 2020, while others suggest newer rates around $14.70/hr for casual weekday shifts, with higher weekend/after-hours pay.
Yes, McDonalds has Saturday and Sunday penalties, public holidays is double time penalties, overnight shifts have 11pm-2am allowance otherwise no penalties, shift time is determined by availability, minimum is 3hrs, max is 10.
Yes, a 14-year-old can get a job in Australia, but with significant restrictions: they must have parental permission, can only do light work (like retail, food service, or deliveries) outside of school hours, and must not work before 6 AM or after 10 PM, with specific rules varying slightly by state and territory, so it's essential to check local regulations.
KFC Australia pay varies by role and experience, but generally ranges from around $26-$28 per hour for Team Members/Cooks to $29+ for Shift Managers, with potential increases for evenings, weekends, and public holidays under the Fast Food Industry Award, though actual rates depend on specific locations and awards.
Hungry Jack's pays the award rate for most roles. This hourly rate fluctuates depending on a worker's age, role, and whether it's a casual or part-time position. A part-time 15-year-old fast food worker is currently paid $8.56 per hour, while a 21-year-old casual gets $26.76, for example.
The #1 highest-paying job is consistently in the medical field, with Surgeons and Anesthesiologists often topping lists globally and in countries like Australia, earning over $400,000 AUD on average due to extensive training and high-pressure responsibilities, though roles like Financial Dealers, CEOs, and specialized Engineers also rank high.
The psychological burden of working in fast food is perhaps the hardest part to endure. Dealing with difficult customers is a daily reality, and some of them seem to forget that the person behind the counter is human. I've been yelled at, made fun of, insulted and even blamed for things entirely out of my control.
Notes about the Top 5 Performers
Big W pays 15-year-olds according to the ~Retail Award for junior casuals, which is a percentage of the adult rate, meaning it changes, but historically has been around $12-$13/hour (around 2020), while newer data suggests closer to $15-$20+ for entry-level roles, but you must check the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator with your specific age, award (Retail & Fast Food Award 2020), and role for the exact current rate, as it's a percentage-based minimum.
To work at KFC, you generally need to be at least 14 years old, though this can vary by location (like Australia's 14 for customer service, 15 for kitchen) or specific franchise rules, with many roles requiring 16 or 17 for more hours/kitchen duties, so always check your local KFC or state laws.